Utah Code 41-1a-401. License plates — Number of plates — Reflectorization — Indicia of registration in lieu of or used with plates

Superseded 1/1/2024)

Superseded 1/1/2024
41-1a-401. License plates — Number of plates — Reflectorization — Indicia of registration in lieu of or used with plates.

(1)

Terms Used In Utah Code 41-1a-401

Camper: means a structure designed, used, and maintained primarily to be mounted on or affixed to a motor vehicle that contains a floor and is designed to provide a mobile dwelling, sleeping place, commercial space, or facilities for human habitation or for camping. See Utah Code 41-1a-102
Commission: means the State Tax Commission. See Utah Code 41-1a-102
Division: means the Motor Vehicle Division of the commission, created in Section 41-1a-106. See Utah Code 41-1a-102
Motor vehicle: means a self-propelled vehicle intended primarily for use and operation on the highways. See Utah Code 41-1a-102
Motorcycle: means :

(a)	a motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground; or

(b)

an autocycle. See Utah Code 41-1a-102

Owner: means a person, other than a lienholder, holding title to a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor whether or not the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is subject to a security interest. See Utah Code 41-1a-102

Park model recreational vehicle: means a unit that:

(a)	is designed and marketed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use;

(b)	is not permanently affixed to real property for use as a permanent dwelling;

(c)	requires a special highway movement permit for transit; and

(d)

is built on a single chassis mounted on wheels with a gross trailer area not exceeding 400 square feet in the setup mode. See Utah Code 41-1a-102

Person: means :Utah Code 68-3-12.5

Recreational vehicle: means the same as that term is defined in Section 13-14-102. See Utah Code 41-1a-102

Registration: means a document issued by a jurisdiction that allows operation of a vehicle or vessel on the highways or waters of this state for the time period for which the registration is valid and that is evidence of compliance with the registration requirements of the jurisdiction. See Utah Code 41-1a-102

Semitrailer: means a vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that some part of its weight and its load rests or is carried by another vehicle. See Utah Code 41-1a-102

Special group license plate: means a type of license plate designed for a particular group of people or a license plate authorized and issued by the division in accordance with Section 41-1a-418. See Utah Code 41-1a-102

Trailer: means a vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle. See Utah Code 41-1a-102

Vehicle: includes a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, off-highway vehicle, camper, park model recreational vehicle, manufactured home, and mobile home. See Utah Code 41-1a-102

(a)

Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c), the division upon registering a vehicle shall issue to the owner:

(i)	one license plate for a motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer;

(ii)	one decal for a park model recreational vehicle, in lieu of a license plate, which shall be attached in plain sight to the rear of the park model recreational vehicle;

(iii)

one decal for a camper, in lieu of a license plate, which shall be attached in plain sight to the rear of the camper; and

(iv)	two identical license plates for every other vehicle.

(b)	The license plate or decal issued under Subsection (1)(a) is for the particular vehicle registered and may not be removed during the term for which the license plate or decal is issued or used upon any other vehicle than the registered vehicle.

(c)

(i)

Notwithstanding Subsections (1)(a) and (b) and except as provided in Subsection (1)(c)(ii), the division, upon registering a motor vehicle that has been sold, traded, or the ownership of which has been otherwise released, shall transfer the license plate issued to the person applying to register the vehicle if:

(A)	the previous registered owner has included the license plate as part of the sale, trade, or ownership release; and

(B)	the person applying to register the vehicle applies to transfer the license plate to the new registered owner of the vehicle.

(ii)

The division may not transfer a personalized or special group license plate to a new registered owner under this Subsection (1)(c) if the new registered owner does not meet the qualification or eligibility requirements for that personalized or special group license plate under Sections 41-1a-410 through 41-1a-422.

(2)	The division may receive applications for registration renewal, renew registration, and issue new license plates or decals at any time prior to the expiration of registration.

(3)

(a)

(i)	Except as provided in Subsection (3)(a)(ii), all license plates to be manufactured and issued by the division shall be treated with a fully reflective material on the plate face that provides effective and dependable reflective brightness during the service period of the license plate.

(ii)	Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a)(i), a historical support special group license plate may be treated with a plate face that is partially reflective and provides effective and dependable reflective brightness during the service period of the license plate.

(b)	The division shall prescribe all license plate material specifications and establish and implement procedures for conforming to the specifications.

(c)	The specifications for the materials used such as the aluminum plate substrate, the reflective sheeting, and glue shall be drawn in a manner so that at least two manufacturers may qualify as suppliers.

(d)	The granting of contracts for the materials shall be by public bid.

(4)

(a)	The commission may issue, adopt, and require the use of indicia of registration it considers advisable in lieu of or in conjunction with license plates as provided in this part.

(b)	All provisions of this part relative to license plates apply to these indicia of registration, so far as the provisions are applicable.

(5)	A violation of this section is an infraction.

Amended by Chapter 22, 2023 General Session
Amended by Chapter 440, 2023 General Session

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